Rotary machine

ABSTRACT

A rotary engine comprising a cylindrical stator, a rotor mounted for rotation within the stator, a crankshaft fixedly mounted within and between opposed sides of the stator, and a plurality of rotary blades movably connected in groups to the two outer axes of the crankshaft and movably connected to the rotor near the periphery thereof for radial as well as for rotary movement so as to be able to follow with their heads the inner profile of the stator which is formed by three intersecting circles.

Waited States Patent 1 1 1111 3,872,840 Adra na 1 Mar. 25 1975 [54] ROTARY MACHlNE 3,782,107 1/1974 Bendall 123/827 [76] Inventor: Alfredo Adragna, Via Senatore FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Maielli 1 siracusa, Italy 133,953 10/1919 United Kingdom 123/827 22 F'led: an. 24 1974 1 l J Primary Examiner Clarence R. Gordon PP NOJ 4361274 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-P0ll0ck, Philpitt & Vande Sande [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 15, 1973 Italy 2115/73 [57] ABSTRACT A rotary engine comprising a cylindrical stator, a rotor [52] 11.8. Cl 123/833, 123/827, 123/835, mounted for fOtfltiOn Within the Stator, a Crankshaft 413/241 fixedly mounted within and between opposed sides of 511 1111. C1. "1 1121) 53/88 the Stator, and a plurality of y blades movably [58] Field of Search 123/833, 8.19, 8.27, 8.29, connected in groups 19 the two Outer axes of the 123/ 35; 413/241 crankshaft and movably connected to the rotor near the periphery thereof for radial as well as for rotary 5 References Cited movement so as to be able to follow with their heads UNITED STATES PATENTS the inner profile of the stator which is formed by three 1,279,195 9/1918 Whitmore...' 123/833 mtersectmg clrcles 3,165,093 1/1965 Etxegoien 123/835 4 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures P J'ENTED S 3,872,840

sumsnfe PATENTEDHAR251975 I 3 7 872,840

SHEET 8 9g 9 ROTARY MACHINE This invention relates to a rotary internal combustion engine having a driving member formed by two rows of rotary blades. More particularly, the operating cycle of this engine is divided into two combined double strokes carried out in different and separate working chambers. The rotary blades are mounted on a stationary crankshaft and movably connected to the rotor and so the engine does not require any distribution or valve means.

As is known, the problem of transforming thermal energy into useful work in most cases involves the use of the conventional crank and connecting rod system. This technical requirement always results in heavy losses of energy due to the inertia forces of the members subjected to reciprocating movement and necessarily leads to technical limitations and complications.

1 It is also knownthat the problem of eliminating the crank and connecting rod system in an engine has induced the designers to seek and find numerous new acceptable solutions in the field of rotary engines, but all these solutions have only had a limited success because of the difficulties that are almost always encountered in providing really efficient seals compatible with the kinematic arrangementof the rotating mechanisms.

This invention has been devised and conceived with the intent of finding an efficientseal useful for rotary mechanisms and provides such a mechanism which is adapted to replace the reciprocating system in all cases in which the amount of mechanical and thermal loss resulting from the construction of reciprocating apparatus suggests an advantageous use of the present rotary mechanism above all for the construction of fourstroke engines but also for replacing any other device whenever the replacement is-technically and economically advantageous.

According to one feature of the present invention, the two groups of strokes into which an operating cycle of the engine is divided are the intake and compression According to yet another feature of the invention, the blades of the engine are movably connected to the rotor by means of cylindrical roller members provided with grooves to receive the blades for sliding movement therein and for rotation within the rotor through said cylindrical roller members.

Further features and advantages ofthe invention will appear from the claims and the following detailed description of one preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall end view of the present engine without cover;

FIG. 2 is aview as inFIG. 1, showing part thereofon a larger scale;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4-is a longitudinal section taken on the line BB of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the engine of FIG. 1 with cover; 1 I

. FIG. 6 is an end view of the engine housing or stator, half in section;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section through the stator;

FIG.8 is an end view of the rotor;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section through the rotor, taken along the line C'C of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a rotary blade,

FIG. 11 is an end view of the rotary blade, and

FIG. 12 is a view of the rotary blade head on a larger scale.

The rotary engine shown in the drawings comprises a stator 1, a rotor 2 and a rotary blade assembly 3, as

- seen in FIG. 1. The stator is formed by a metal housing stroke, on the one hand, and the expansion and exhaust strokes, on the other, and the two groups of strokes are carried out by two groups of rotary blades mounted in alternate series and operating in different and separate chambers, as mentioned above, providing a combined effect permitting to perform three complete cycles of combustion within one rotation through 360 and together ensuring a continuous rate of power delivery without operatively negative or passive-or even simply inactive intervals. 1

According to another feature of the invention, the stator of the present engine has an inner profile formed by an intersection of three circumferences the central one of which is defined by the movement of the rotor and the other two are located on opposed sides of the rotor and defined by the movement of the heads of the two groups of bladeseach of which has-its axis pivotally connected to the crankshaft so as to -be able to follow the inner profileof thestatoraIong relatively large adjacentsurfaces extending in parallel and thus forming an efficient seal by means. of appropriate gaskets.

According to another feature of the invention, the

. two groups of blades are mounted on two axes of the stationary crankshaft so as to be able to carry out a rotation following the kinematic course of the respective blade group, the functions ofeach blade groupcombining with those of the other group.

4havingan approximately cylindrical outer shape and provided with cooling ribs 5 for dissipation of excessive heat. The inner profile of the stator is formed by a simple and plain intersection of three circumferences 6, 7 and 8, as shown in FIG. 6. The central circumference '6 has a radius corresponding to that of the rotor whereas thecircumferences 7 and 8 which are located on opposed sides of the rotor region have equal radii but slightly smaller than that of the rotor.

The housing 4 contains cooling liquid ducts 9, a seat 10 for a spark plug or injection nozzle, an inlet duct 11 and an exhaust duct 12. Both theinlet duct 11 and the exhaust duct 12 are provided with a grid 13 (FIG. 7) to allow the rotary blades to pass them without being damaged. 1 As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of covers 14 likewise provided with cooling ribs is secured to the sides of the housing 4 by means of bolts 14'. A crankshaft 16 has its twoends secured by means of keys 15 to the covers l4 which also support bearings 17 for the entire rotor assembly 2; The crankshaft 16 forms the support jaroundwhich rotary blades 21 rotate.

Incorporated in one of the covers 14 is an axle 18 mounted in antifriction bearings and supporting a gear wheel 19 adjacent another gear wheel 20 mounted on "the rotor to mesh with the gear wheel 19. The axle I8 forms the drive shaft of the engine.

As seenmore clearly in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rotor 2 is formed by a cylindrical metal body 22 having six cylindrical recesses 23 at its periphery. The cylindrical recesses 23 are open to the outside of the rotor and each serve to accommodate a cylindrical roller member 24 serving to rotatably connect the blades 21 to the rotor. The rotor body contains cooling liquid flow ducts 25 and is provided with a central opening 26 for the passage of the crankshaft. Three recesses 27 are provided in the outer surface of the rotor to receive the compressed fluid and to form the movable portions of the combustion chambers.

The cylindrical roller members 24 accommodated in the recesses 23 of the rotor are provided with grooves 28 in which the blades 21 are slidably received to form articulated guides for the blades during rotation of the rotor body.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, two hubs 29 which are hollow along their axes are mounted in the bearings of the covers on flanges 30 of the rotor. The rotor flanges 30 are firmly secured to the rotor body 22 by means of bolts 31 and move in close engagement with the sides of the housing to prevent the fluid from escaping to the outside. For the same purpose the housing is also provided with sealing gaskets 32 in the formof elliptical rings which are resiliently urged against the sides of the rotor. One of the hubs 29 carries the gear wheel 19 which transmits movement to the power shaft 33 from which the useful drive power is taken. I

As seen in FIG. 1, the rotary blade assembly 3 is formed by two series each comprising three blades 21 each provided with gas-tight metal gaskets 34 and 35 (FIGS. -12). The blades 21 are mounted with their legs astride the ends of the cylindrical roller members 24 so as to move radially in the groove 28 and to be able to rotate in one or the other direction relative to the rotor.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the blades 21 are alternately arranged for rotation around the two outer axes of the crankshaft 16 so as to form three working pairs of two blades each located on either side of the recess 27 in which the fluid collects. As the series of blades 21 rotate each of them follows the associated circular profile of the housing and withdraws into the grooves 28 of the cylindrical roller members 24 adjacent the stator profile along which the rotor and the other series of blades pass close thereto.

As mentioned before, the operating cycle of the engine is divided into two groups of strokes: the intake and compression strokes, on the one hand, and the expansion and exhaust strokes, on the other. The first two strokes are carried out by one group of three blades which rotate around one of the two outer axes of the crankshaft, the other'two strokes being carried out by the other group of blades which rotate around the other outer axis of the crankshaft.

In FIG. 1 the intake and compression strokes are carried out by the group of three blades located on the left of the rotor 6', as seen by the observer of that Figure. The expansion and exhaust strokes are carried out by the other group of blades. Each blade performs its function only once during each rotation of the rotor, sucking in the fluid and simultaneously compressing the fluid sucked in previously by the preceding blade of the same group or receiving the thrust produced by the expansion of the fluid in the recess at its rear and simultaneously pushing toward theexhaust duct the combustion residues that have remained in the working chamber from the previous stroke.

So when the rotor starts to rotate the two groups of blades begin to carryout the above-mentioned strokes and the functions of the blades combine to perform the four strokes of an operating cycle without requiring any distribution or valve means.

Ignition of the combustible mixture is effected by means of the sparks produced by the spark plug 36 in the explosion chamber formed by the recess 27 (FIG. 1) as the fluid formed by the combustible mixture passes the spark plug. However, ignition may. also be effected by other appropriate means depending on how the engine is designed, for example, for direct ignition. spark injection or the like.

Each blade of the sucking and pushing group begins its function immediately after having passed the opening of the inlet-duct. Then the fluid contained in the sucking chamber is restrained between two blades of the same group and the head ofa third blade pertaining to the other group and having previously performed the suction stroke, whereby the volumetric power of the engine is increased. As rotation continues the volume of the working chamber containing the fluid is gradually reduced and finally reduced to zero so that after a rotation of about the fluid is all collected in the combustion chamber 27 where the compression stroke is completed as the said blade enters the combustion chamber.

At this stage all the fluid is contained in the recess 27 which is located at a precise predetermined position best suitable for ignition or injection. From this moment on the expansion blade receives on its side facing the recess 27 the thrust of the burnt fluid which moves it along the explosion and expansion chambers so that this blade contributes to rotate the rotor and pushes toward the exhaust duct the combustion residues which have remained in the chamber from the previous combustion operation. As each pair of blades performs its operating cycl within a rotation through 360 the engine will receive during each rotation three successive thrusts each extending over 120 without operatively negative or passive or even simply inactive intervals.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described hereinbefore in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that numerous changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. I

I claim:

l. A rotary engine comprising a stator formed by a substantially cylindrical metal housing having an inner profile formed by an intersection of three circular circumferences;

a rotor formed by a cylindrical metal body having equally spaced around its periphery six cylindrical recesses openingtoward the outside of the rotor and each receiving-a cylindrical roller member, and three recesses for receiving compressed fluid and forming the movable portions of combustion cham bers;

a rotary blade assembly including two groups of three blades each, provided with fluid-tight metal sealing gaskets and mounted with their legs astride of the ends of said cylindrical roller members so as to be able to move radially in grooves provided in said cylindrical roller members and to rotate relative to the rotor.

said blades forming three working pairs of two blades each, located on either side of said fluid receiving recesses;

a crankshaft'fixedly mounted in the stator and movably mounting the legs of said rotary blades for rotation around the two outer axes of the crankshaft,

said rotary blades being connected to the rotor for reciprocating as well as rotary movement relative thereto by means of said cylindrical roller members so as to be able to follow the inner profile of the stator during rotation of-the rotor and to withdraw into said grooves in said cylindrical roller members as the rotary blades pass the stator profile located close to the periphery of the rotor.

2. A rotary engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner profile of the stator is formed by an intersection of three circular circumferences the central one of which is defined by the movement of the rotor and the other two are located on opposed sides of the rotor and defined by the movement of the heads of the two groups of blades each of which has its axis pivotally connected to the crankshaft so as to be able to follow the inner profile of the stator along relatively larger adjacent surfaces extending in parallel and thus forming an efficient seal by means of appropriate gaskets provided at the heads of the blades.

3. A rotary engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two groups of blades are mounted on two axes of the stationary crankshaft so as to be able to carry out a rotation following the kinematic course of the respective blade group, the functions of each blade group combining with those of the other group.

4. A rotary engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotary blades are centrally movably connected to said crankshaft so as to be able to move freely within the seat provided by the stator without directly engaging the latter and thus without disadvantageous effects due to centrifugal forces.

l l= l UNHED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE @EB'HMIAT F ECTION PATENT NO. 3,872,840 UATED March 25 1975 tNVENTOR(S) Alfredo Adragna it is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Foreign Application Priority Data, the Italian Application number shown as "21.15/73 should read Signed and sealed this 15th day of July 1975..

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH (3u MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks 

1. A rotary engine comprising a stator formed by a substantially cylindrical metal housing having an inner profile formed by an intersection of three circular circumferences; a rotor formed by a cylindrical metal body having equally spaced around its periphery six cylindrical recesses opening toward the outside of the rotor and each receiving a cylindrical roller member, and three recesses for receiving compressed fluid and forming the movable portions of combustion chambers; a rotary blade assembly including two groups of three blades each, provided with fluid-tight metal sealing gaskets and mounted with their legs astride of the ends of said cylindrical roller members so as to be able to move radially in grooves provided in said cylindrical roller members and to rotate relative to the rotor, said blades forming three working pairs of two blades each, located on either side of said fluid receiving recesses; a crankshaft fixedly mounted in the stator and movably mounting the legs of said rotary blades for rotation around the two outer axes of the crankshaft, said rotary blades being connected to the rotor for reciprocating as well as rotary movement relative thereto by means of said cylindrical roller members so as to be able to follow the inner profile of the stator during rotation of the rotor and to withdraw into said grooves in said cylindrical roller members as the rotary blades pass the stator profile located close to the periphery of the rotor.
 2. A rotary engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner profile of the stator is formed by an intersection of three circular circumferences the central one of which is defined by the movement of the rotor and the other two are located on opposed sides of the rotor and defined by the movement of the heads of the two groups of blades each of which has its axis pivotally connected to the crankshaft so as to be able to follow the inner profile of the stator along relatively larger adjacent surfaces extending in parallel and thus forming an efficient seal by means of appropriate gaskets provided at the heads of the blades.
 3. A rotary engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two groups of blades are mounted on two axes of the stationary crankshaft so as to be able to carry out a rotation following the kinematic course of the respective blade group, the functions of each blade group combining with those of the other group.
 4. A rotary engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotary blades are centrally movably connected to said crankshaft so as to be able to move freely within the Seat provided by the stator without directly engaging the latter and thus without disadvantageous effects due to centrifugal forces. 